Hi. In today’s video, I am taking you on a bus trip along the Adriatic coast from Split to Dubrovnik. The Trip along the coast is, in my opinion, the most beautiful bus trip you can take in Croatia.
In addition to the information I provided along the trip, this document will give you more details and tips.
Bus trip Split to Dubrovnik Basics
As you probably saw in the video, the bus I was on traveled along the coastal road. This was the way all buses traveled before a highway was built between Split and Ploče.
On the day we traveled, all buses except the 8 AM departure from Promet Makarska took the highway. This is a pity, as it means you missed out on the amazing views shown in the video.
During the summer season, more departures follow the coastal road.
The difference in travel time is about one hour. Buses taking the highway take around 3 hours and 45 minutes, while the bus I took had a travel time of close to 4.5 hours. Note: During the peak summer season, buses are likely to be delayed due to heavy traffic.
You should not take the bus I took if your goal is to get to Dubrovnik as quickly as possible. Instead, take it for the experience.
Important: When traveling on the coastal road bus towards Dubrovnik, sit on the right side of the bus for the best views. If traveling from Dubrovnik to Split, sit on the left side.
You should arrive at the bus station at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. If you need to buy a ticket, you should be there 20 minutes before.
Bus Companies travelling on the route:
The bus route between Split and Dubrovnik is operated by six different bus companies.
The number of daily departures ranges from 10 to 20, depending on the season. Some buses also operate at night.
All buses travel between Split Bus Station and Dubrovnik Bus Station. There is no option to board at the airport in either city.
Bus Companies on the route
Currently, 6 operators are offering departures on the route to Dubrovnik
Bus Company | Website |
Promet Makarska | |
Brioni / Nomago | |
Samoborcek | |
Arriva | |
Cazmatrans / Flixbus | |
Croatia Bus / Flixbus |
You can, of course, buy tickets online from all operators. Alternatively, you can visit the website of the Split Bus Station, which you can find here. On the station’s website, all departures are listed in one place.
Amenities on the Buses
The amenities on the buses are generally the same, regardless of which company you travel with. Typically, you will find:
- Charging ports for electronic devices
- Reclining seats
- Foldable tables
- Curtains to block the strong sun
- Air conditioning
- Wifi (Does not always work)
Price for tickets (Discount groups, etc)
The price of a one-way adult ticket can vary greatly depending on the following factors:
- The time of year you travel
- Flexibility in departure time
- Booking in advance usually offers the cheapest tickets
When I recorded the video above, I paid €23 for a one-way ticket. The cheapest ticket available that day was €14 from Nomago, but their departure did not follow the coastal route. In summer, I have seen prices go up to €40, especially with FlixBus, which tends to have very high last-minute prices on the day of travel.
Unfortunately, most bus companies do not offer discounts for children, students, or pensioners on this route. However, there are a few exceptions, so if you are flexible with your departure time, you may be able to find a discount.
Stops on the way
As I mentioned in the video, no company allows the use of onboard toilets on domestic bus routes. However, on all routes longer than two hours, there is at least one stop along the way where passengers can use restrooms and, in most cases, buy snacks and drinks.
On our trip, we had stops at the bus stations in Makarska and Ploče, each lasting around 10 minutes—enough time for a restroom visit and a bit of shopping.
Buses traveling via the highway stop at a highway rest area.
Important Tips
- Bring some euro coins, as restroom use typically costs €0.50 or €1, and payment is usually cash only.
- As seen in my video, I had to pay €4 in cash to add two pieces of luggage to the hold.
- In general, when visiting Croatia, it’s good to carry €10–20 in cash, as many places require cash payments.
Alternative ways of traveling
A great alternative to the bus between Split and Dubrovnik is the fast ferry. From mid-April to mid-October, fast ferries operate on this route. During the peak season, there are 5 to 6 daily departures.
The ferry takes around 5 hours, making it slightly slower than the bus. However, the advantage is that you get to see some of Croatia’s stunning islands, including Hvar, Korčula, and Mljet, along the way.
The big advantage of the ferry is, of course, that you can move around during the trip. It resembles a trip with a train.
Ferry tickets usually cost between €50 and €60, making them somewhat more expensive than the bus. However, I guarantee you’ll love the trip and won’t mind spending a little extra for the experience.
The following companies operate ferries between Split and Dubrovnik. TP Line, Krilo and Jadrolinija.
Passing BiH
If you’ve read online that you need to pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina to get to Dubrovnik, I’ve got news for you!
In 2022, the Pelješac Bridge was completed, allowing the route from Split to Dubrovnik to remain entirely on Croatian roads. This means that travelers who previously needed additional documents to enter Bosnia and Herzegovina no longer have to worry about them, as was necessary before the bridge was built.
Arriving in Dubrovnik
Your bus will arrive at the Dubrovnik Bus Station, located in the Gruž district, about 3.5 km from Dubrovnik’s city walls and the Old Town.
From the bus station, you have several transportation options, including taxis, Wizi, Uber, Bolt, and city buses.
